THANK A COP: Readers share their stories

Tucson police officer Erik Hite died in the line of duty June 2, 2008. To honor his memory and to acknowledge the service of men and women in law enforcement, M&I Bank and the Tucson Police Foundation are sponsoring “Thank A Cop” day on Tuesday, June 2. Details below.

Green Valley News readers have sent in positive experiences with the men and women who enforce our laws. Here are some of them.

HE SOLVED A PROBLEM

In March 2008 and again in January 2009 our HOA was experiencing episodes several times a week of illegals cutting through our subdivision, yard s and neighborhood. This is including illegals knocking on the front door of a neighbor at 2 a.m.; they come up the wash right onto the back porch of another resident; and jarring a screen door so hard they opened it and were going to walk right in (except for a dog and husband greeting them).

Chief Patrol Agent Robert W. Gilbert increased patrols in our area and issued a telephone number that would get homeowners right to a patrol agent. The BP vehicles making frequent, daily rounds did the trick and activity has simmered down. Thank you, Agent Gilbert.

Thomas Del Peschio

Green Valley

MAKING AN IMPRESSION

With my 19-year-old daughter and her Canadian boyfriend in the car I pulled over next to a police car to ask the officer for directions to Sabino Canyon. Seeing two blonde females in the front seat he decided to lead us to the correct road by first blocking traffic to allow us to make a U-turn. The teenagers were “blown away” by the officer’s kindness. I, too, was very impressed.

Joette Schenck

ANGEL ON THE HIGHWAY

A short time back my wife and I were coming back to Green Valley on I-19 when we had a tire blow out. I hadn’t any more than go get the jack out when a Highway Patrol officer pulled up behind us. I thought, “This is nice, he is protecting us from the coming traffic. He asked if we had a spare. Telling him we did he proceeded to take off the bad tire as I was getting the spare. While I was putting the bad tire in the trunk he had the spare on the car. After a heartfelt thank you and a handshake he got back in his patrol car and waited for us to safely get back on the highway.

We never got a name, but wish for him to know that he has been in our prayers for his safety as he works the dangerous highway.

Carl and Patricia Gray

Green Valley

LIFE-SAVING VOLUNTEERS

Recently, I headed to Wal-mart with a two-page grocery list. Once inside, I found it difficult to locate items. After wandering up and down the aisles for over two hours, I realized I had only five items in my basket. I knew I was in trouble, but I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me.

I was unable to reach my husband, who was out of town for the day. I had a Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers business card on my key chain, and called for assistance. Two volunteers arrived within minutes, and helped me into their SUV. The female officer agreed to drive me home, while the male officer followed in my car. We drove very slowly down Abrego. It was suggested we stop at the fire station, on the corner of Abrego and Continental. Paramedics checked my vital signs, and I was helped inside. The S.A.V. contacted my husband, waited until he arrived, and reassured us I was in good hands. I was taken by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson.

I am indebted to the S.A.V., who virtually saved my life. Thank you for realizing I required medical attention. You provide a valuable service to our community, and I am eternally grateful.

Kathy Henson

Green Valley

THEY’RE ALL HEROES

(Reprinted from Arizona Highway Patrolman Magazine, Spring 2009)

Quick grab your gear we got people to save! Heroes are a very important part of our world. Most people think heroes are like Batman or Superman, but it can be anyone in he world. Heroes are brave, always there to help, and they’re keeping danger away.

Heroes are very brave people who put our lives before theirs. They are willing to go inside fires to save people trapped inside. They’re willing to jump off cliffs to chase bad guys. Finally, they’re willing to put their live in danger when gunfire erupts so the general public will be safe. Heroes are braver than most people.

Heroes help people day and night. They do that by taking 911 calls. They give directions if you’re lost or take lost children home to their families. They are also usually on the road to slow down people, fix tires, or if you’re hurt. Helping makes heroes special.

Heroes also help by keeping danger away. But some heroes go the extra mile. How? They arrest bad guys and take them to jail. They also dismantle bombs, which can be very dangerous. Lastly, they’re always on the look out, staking out cars, homes, borders and businesses for illegal activities.

Who is my favorite hero? It’s a policeman. They show all the important parts of being a hero. They are brave, help others, and keep danger away. I would like to become a policeman like my heroes.

Joey McNichols, 11

Continental School

OFFICER ‘MADE MY DAY’

Like most of us, my experiences involving law enforcement officers range from good to something less than good. Albeit mostly good.

However, No. 1 on my Top 10 Cop Connection Hit Parade occurred a few years back while ferrying my sunflower yellow VW Bug from Oregon to Green Valley.

I was somewhere along that mesmerizing, interminable desert highway that links Reno with Las Vegas. It was around noon. I wore my favorite straw hat. Wagner blared from the CD “The Ride of the Valkyries.” And my passenger seat groaned beneath a veritable orchard of green and red grapes, bananas, fat apples and oranges.

I was at peace. All was right in the world. Until my reverie was shattered by the piercing metallic wail of a siren. From my rear-view mirror I saw the flashing red and blue bubble-gum lights of a Nevada State Patrol car. I thought the worse as we both pulled off the tarmac.

What happened next still seems a bit surreal. Out of the patrol car stepped one of Nevada’s Finest. He was lanky-tall in his official khaki uniform, He wore a pair of dark cowboy boots and opaque wrap around sun glasses. And, like me, a broad straw hat. He was Clint Eastwood! Maybe Clint Eastwood’s twin.

Hooking his thumbs into the front of his heavy black pistol belt, he strode up to my now open driver’s side window, put one hand on the VW’s roof, bent over and surveyed the car’s interior, looking curiously at my pile of fresh fruit.

“Howdy,” he drawled.

“Howdy.” I smiled.

“Goin’ a little too fast,” he said.

“I really wasn’t paying much attention,” I alibied. “Had the music..the grapes,...the highway is straight for miles ahead...not a car in sight...”

“Yep,” he interrupted, “the desert’ll do that to you...”

The officer stepped back, took a look up and down the highway. “I really don’t want to give you a ticket,” he said.

“I really don’t want a ticket,” I echoed, “haven’t had one in years...”

“OK,” he smiled, “but you take care now.” he cautioned, “not so heavy on the foot.”

As he turned to walk back to his patrol car, I called after him.

“By the way, officer, how fast was I going?”

“About 100.” he replied, calling over his shoulder.

I still wonder whether he might have been Clint Eastwood. But, after all, he never did say, “Make My Day...”

Theodore Kurrus

Green Valley

SALUTE FROM ACROSS THE POND

I am a British national who is a fairly regular visitor to Arizona.

Whilst on one of my visits I was able to do a “ride-along” with the Sahuarita PD. I spent the swing shift with Officer Juan Zamora who was not only a wonderful ambassador for the Sahuarita PD but also for the American police force in general. It was a wonderful experience watching your police in action.

As a U.K. citizen it really showed me that there is a huge difference between the American cop as portrayed via the media, etc., and the reality and I found that the police in the U.S. to be every bit as charming and efficient as our own British “bobby.” I do thank the Sahuarita PD for allowing me to have such a fantastic opportunity to watch them in action. It is an experience I would highly recommend to both visitors and residents alike.

Jilly Lindley,

Eastboure, East Sussex, England

OUCH, OUCH, OUCH!

I made the mistake of kicking a pile of cholla pieces with my foot. The next thing I knew I had cholla pieces on my pants, stuck in my shoes, then stuck on my hands as I tried to pull them off.

I felt like a real idiot.

One of the Green Valley deputies stopped and got a pair of pliers out of his car and pulled them off me. I really appreciated the assistance and will never make the same mistake again.

Carol Roskey

Green Valley

ESCAPE FROM ABUSE

After years of domestic abuse and constantly fleeing to safety, I finally called for help. Fortunately, Pima County Sheriff Gieron answered that call. Nearing midnight and safe at a friend’s house, he sat me down and explained how I was under the control of an abuser, I would draw a line in the sand, my husband would cross it and I would draw it further out. He helped me realize those implications.

Married eight years, my spouse had only struck me once, threw the truck in reverse letting the open door hit me once, only pointed a gun at me once. I consequently filed for divorce, went into domestic-abuse therapy groups and now flourish.

I will always be grateful to Officer Gieron for the tools he gave me, his compassion, for the courage he instilled. He saved me both literally and figuratively in his devotion beyond duty to help a wounded soul.

Name witheld

EVENT DETAILS

In Green Valley

M&I Bank at 270 W. Continental Road, near La Canada Drive, will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to deputies, police officers, Border Patrol agents, volunteers and other law enforcement officers. Six M&I branches in southern Arizona and two police substations are participating.

Get involved

The public can bring cards of thanks or come sign a big card at the bank branch from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. KGVY radio will broadcast live all day from the bank at 1080 AM.